Moving to Spain from the United States — complete guide
Spain offers a Spanish-speaking European destination with quality public healthcare, established expat communities, and natural cultural connection for Spanish speakers. Attracts US citizens via Sephardic citizenship by descent, the non-lucrative visa for retirees, and the new digital nomad visa.
Residency types for Americans
- Non-Lucrative Visa — For retirees/investors with passive income
€28,800/year ($31K USD) - Digital Nomad Visa — For remote workers with employers outside Spain
Why Spain
- Public healthcare of high quality (free with legal residency after 1 year + contributions)
- Language: Spanish (easier for Spanish speakers than Italian/French)
- US expat communities in Valencia, Seville, Málaga, Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca, Bilbao
- Schengen access — Spanish residency lets you travel 27 European countries without additional visa
- Path to citizenship: after 10 years of legal residency (2 years for Latin American nationals via bilateral treaty)
Related information
Last verified: 2026-05-24.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.
Related procedural information
- USCIS Form I-407 — abandonment of LPR status — formal renunciation procedure
- IRS tax obligations as a US citizen abroad — citizens file regardless of residence
- Social Security totalization agreements — avoiding double SS coverage
- Find an international tax attorney — for renunciation and exit-tax cases
- Consulate of your destination country — pre-departure documentation